Belgium imported a significant share of its liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Russia over the past six months, even as the European Union prepares sweeping measures to phase out Russian energy supplies. According to data provided by Fluxys, the operator of the LNG terminal in the Belgian port of Zeebrugge, approximately 38% of LNG delivered to the facility during the period originated from Russia, underscoring the complex realities of Europe’s energy transition.
The figures illustrate a persistent dependence on Russian energy supplies across parts of Europe, despite the bloc’s long-term strategy to sever ties with Moscow’s gas industry. The European Union formally approved a step-by-step ban on Russian gas imports earlier this year, a landmark policy designed to eliminate purchases of both liquefied natural gas and pipeline gas by 2027. Under the regulation, imports of Russian LNG are scheduled to cease from the beginning of 2027, with pipeline deliveries expected to end later that year. Details of the policy were outlined when the bloc finalized legislation to phase out Russian gas imports by 2027. The policy has become a central pillar of Europe’s energy transition strategy and reflects mounting geopolitical tensions between Brussels and Moscow.
Fluxys, which operates one of Europe’s most important LNG hubs at Zeebrugge, reported that tanker deliveries to the terminal over the past half-year were dominated by shipments from the United States. According to the company, roughly 49% of LNG arriving by sea came from US exporters, while Russia accounted for 38% and Qatar supplied about 7%. An additional share of LNG, roughly 8%, came from producers in the Persian Gulf region. Only around 3% of LNG delivered to the terminal during the period was subsequently re-exported by sea or road transport.
The Zeebrugge terminal occupies a critical position in the European energy system. Located on Belgium’s North Sea coast, the facility functions as a major entry point for LNG cargoes from across the world and plays a key role in distributing gas supplies throughout Western Europe. The infrastructure allows global producers to access European markets while providing European states with flexibility to diversify energy imports and manage seasonal demand fluctuations.
Energy analysts say the continued arrival of Russian cargoes highlights the challenge facing European governments as they attempt to balance geopolitical objectives with the need to maintain stable energy supplies. Although the EU has committed to reducing reliance on Russian fossil fuels, existing contracts and infrastructure constraints have meant that Russian LNG has continued to flow to European terminals.
The European Union’s strategy to phase out Russian energy imports emerged in the aftermath of the 2022 Ukraine crisis, when energy security rapidly became a central concern across the continent. Prior to that year, Russia supplied more than 40% of the EU’s natural gas imports. Since then, diversification efforts have significantly reduced Moscow’s share of European gas supplies, though Russian LNG remains an important component of the market.
In recent years, Europe has increasingly turned to global LNG markets to replace pipeline gas deliveries from Russia. The shift has driven a surge in imports from the United States, which has rapidly expanded its LNG export capacity and now supplies a large portion of Europe’s imported liquefied gas. According to industry data, the US share of Europe’s LNG imports has grown rapidly, reinforcing Washington’s position as a dominant supplier in the region.
At the same time, producers in Qatar and other Middle Eastern countries have also increased shipments to European buyers as demand surged following the disruption of Russian pipeline flows. These new supply routes have reshaped the global LNG trade, turning Europe into one of the world’s most competitive gas markets.
Yet Russian LNG has proven more difficult for European policymakers to eliminate entirely. Much of the gas arrives under long-term contracts signed before the current sanctions regime took shape, and many European energy companies remain tied to these agreements until the end of the decade. As a result, Russian cargoes continue to arrive even while political momentum builds for a complete phaseout.
In addition, LNG shipments can be more difficult to restrict than pipeline deliveries because they are traded globally and transported by tanker across international waters. Cargoes can be redirected to different ports or sold to other buyers along the supply chain, complicating efforts to enforce comprehensive restrictions.
The European Union has attempted to tighten controls in recent years through successive sanctions packages targeting Russia’s energy sector. Among the measures adopted were restrictions on the transshipment of Russian LNG through European ports to non-EU destinations, as well as limits on investments and services connected to Russian LNG projects.
Still, trade flows indicate that Russian LNG continues to play a role in Europe’s energy mix. According to industry estimates, Europe imported millions of tons of Russian liquefied gas in 2025, generating billions of euros in revenue for Russian energy companies. Several EU member states, including Belgium, France and Spain, remain among the key importers of these supplies.
The persistence of Russian LNG imports has sparked debate among European policymakers and energy experts. Some argue that maintaining limited supplies during the transition period is necessary to prevent price spikes and ensure reliable gas deliveries during winter months. Others contend that continued imports undermine the EU’s strategic goal of ending energy dependence on Russia.
The debate has intensified as global energy markets face renewed volatility. Rising geopolitical tensions in the Middle East have contributed to fluctuations in oil and gas prices, raising concerns that Europe could once again confront supply shortages if alternative sources fail to keep pace with demand.
Against this backdrop, Russia has signaled that it may reconsider its own strategy toward European markets. President Vladimir Putin recently suggested that Moscow could halt gas deliveries to Europe earlier than planned rather than waiting for EU restrictions to take effect. Russian officials have increasingly emphasized the possibility of redirecting gas exports toward Asian markets, where demand for LNG continues to grow.
Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said Russian authorities are evaluating options to expand energy partnerships with countries across the Asia-Pacific region. Nations such as China, India, Thailand and the Philippines have been identified as potential long-term buyers for Russian LNG as Moscow seeks to diversify its export destinations.
European policymakers, meanwhile, insist that the transition away from Russian gas remains on track. Initiatives such as the EU’s energy diversification strategy aim to accelerate renewable power deployment, increase efficiency and expand LNG infrastructure so that Russian imports are no longer required.
The situation in Belgium illustrates the transitional phase Europe is currently navigating. While the Zeebrugge terminal has become a key gateway for LNG imports from the United States and other global suppliers, Russian cargoes continue to arrive under existing contractual arrangements.
The development echoes previous analysis published by The Eastern Herald examining Europe’s plan to eliminate Russian gas imports by 2027. Analysts say the shift is reshaping global energy flows while forcing European governments to accelerate investments in alternative supply routes.
At the same time, Russia is expanding cooperation with Asian markets as Europe reduces purchases. Recent reporting has highlighted how Moscow is increasingly focusing on Asia as a long-term destination for its energy exports, reflecting a broader shift in global trade dynamics described in coverage of Russia’s growing gas exports toward Asian partners.
Energy analysts say the coming years will be critical in determining whether Europe can successfully complete its transition away from Russian gas without triggering supply disruptions or sustained price increases. Much will depend on the availability of alternative LNG supplies, the pace of renewable energy expansion, and the ability of European governments to coordinate their energy policies.
For now, the data from Belgium’s Zeebrugge terminal offers a snapshot of a continent still navigating a complex energy transition. Even as Europe prepares to impose one of the most far-reaching energy embargoes in its history, Russian LNG remains a significant part of the supply mix, at least until the final deadlines of the EU’s ban arrive later this decade.
